Lafayette, IN | On-Site | Industrial Manufacturing / Controls Engineering
About the Role
An established industrial manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Electrical Controls Engineer to join its engineering team in Lafayette, Indiana.
This is a hands-on engineering position focused on electrical controls design, PLC programming, industrial troubleshooting, and the improvement of automated manufacturing equipment. The engineer will play an important role in maintaining and upgrading production systems while supporting capital equipment projects and manufacturing improvements.
The position offers the opportunity to take ownership of electrical and controls engineering initiatives, work closely with maintenance and engineering teams, and contribute directly to equipment reliability, production efficiency, and long-term plant improvements.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and modify electrical control systems for industrial manufacturing equipment
- Program, troubleshoot, and maintain Allen-Bradley PLCs using RSLogix and Studio 5000
- Develop and modify HMI applications to support equipment operation and process monitoring
- Create and update electrical schematics, control panel drawings, and supporting documentation using AutoCAD
- Troubleshoot electrical equipment, PLC logic, industrial controls, and production-related issues
- Configure and support variable frequency drives (VFDs), AC/DC drives, and associated motor control systems
- Support equipment upgrades, automation improvements, and manufacturing process optimization
- Work closely with maintenance technicians to diagnose equipment failures and implement long-term corrective solutions
- Participate in capital improvement projects involving new equipment, controls upgrades, and system modernization
- Support equipment installation, testing, startup, and commissioning activities
- Coordinate with vendors and contractors during equipment installations and engineering projects
- Assist with project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and procurement of electrical components
- Collaborate with mechanical engineering, maintenance, production, and IT teams to support plant operations
- Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, safety, efficiency, and overall manufacturing performance
- Ensure electrical systems and modifications comply with applicable safety standards and engineering requirements
- Manage multiple engineering priorities while providing technical support to ongoing manufacturing operations
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related discipline; alternatively, an associate degree with 5+ years of relevant industrial manufacturing experience
- Strong experience with Allen-Bradley PLC programming, troubleshooting, and modifications
- Experience using RSLogix and/or Studio 5000
- Proficiency with AutoCAD for electrical schematics, control panel drawings, and electrical design documentation
- Experience working with HMIs, VFDs, AC/DC drives, and industrial motor control systems
- Strong understanding of electrical circuits, industrial power distribution, and control system design
- Experience troubleshooting automated manufacturing equipment in a production environment
- Ability to diagnose electrical and controls issues and implement effective corrective actions
- Familiarity with industrial networking and communication systems
- Understanding of applicable electrical codes, safety regulations, and industrial engineering standards
- Experience supporting equipment installation, upgrades, and commissioning
- Ability to manage engineering projects, coordinate vendors, and support budgets and schedules
- Strong communication, analytical, and technical problem-solving skills
- Comfortable working directly with maintenance technicians and production personnel on the manufacturing floor
- Ability to balance ongoing plant support with longer‑term engineering projects
Experience with the following is beneficial:
- Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation
- HMI Programming
- Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
- AC/DC Motor Controls
- Electrical Panel Design
- Capital Equipment Projects
- Equipment Startup & Commissioning
- Preventive Maintenance & Reliability Improvements
- Manufacturing Process Optimization
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- Take ownership of electrical and controls engineering projects within an established manufacturing environment
- Work extensively with Allen-Bradley PLCs, HMI systems, drives, and industrial automation equipment
- Gain hands‑on exposure to electrical design, troubleshooting, programming, and equipment commissioning
- Contribute to capital improvement projects and the introduction of upgraded manufacturing technologies
- Work directly with production equipment and see the impact of your engineering improvements
- Collaborate closely with maintenance, mechanical engineering, IT, and manufacturing teams
- Balance day‑to‑day technical problem‑solving with longer‑term automation and engineering initiatives
- Play an important role in improving equipment reliability, production efficiency, and plant safety
- Gain exposure to a variety of electrical and mechanical manufacturing systems
- Work primarily at a single manufacturing facility without a regular travel requirement
- Opportunity to contribute to continued equipment modernization and operational improvements
This opportunity is particularly well‑suited to an Electrical Controls Engineer who enjoys a combination of hands‑on PLC programming, electrical design, and manufacturing troubleshooting, and wants to take ownership of equipment improvements and capital engineering projects within an industrial production environment.